U.S.-India Finalize Trade Framework to Boost Bilateral Ties

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence visited India and finalized a framework for bilateral trade negotiations with the country. This development is part of the ongoing efforts to establish a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the two nations, which aims to mitigate the threat of reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

During the meeting in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pence expressed their support for the ongoing BTA negotiations, emphasizing that the agreement would focus on the welfare of the people of both countries. Pence underscored the U.S. commitment to achieving a fair and balanced trade relationship with India.

The U.S. has formally announced the framework for negotiations, setting a roadmap for discussions on shared economic priorities. This framework indicates that the BTA between India and the U.S. may prioritize job security and domestic industrial development, aligning with the strategic goals of both the Trump administration's "Made in America" and Modi's "Make in India" initiatives.

Both nations have also accelerated their cooperation in the fields of energy, defense, and technology. India and the U.S. have been actively evaluating the progress in these areas and are committed to strengthening their collaboration. Notably, the U.S. is seeking to expand defense exports to India, aiming to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries. Additionally, cooperation in key emerging technologies and small modular advanced reactors is a top priority for both nations.

The meeting also discussed the upcoming Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) summit, which India will host later this year. Modi expressed his anticipation of President Trump's attendance at the summit. However, while the U.S. acknowledged the positive and successful meeting between Modi and Trump in February, there was no mention of Trump's proposed visit to India.